Tag Archives: cassettes

As well as doing tapes for my own label – POST/POP – some of you know I also often make tapes for the bigger labels. If you’ve bought a tape from a big band in the chart, it’s almost certain it’s gone through this little label. I am very selective about the bands I do tapes for though and even more selective about the bands I allow my logo on (The POST/POP wolf is a mark of quality, like lions on eggs! Like lions on eggs!).

Step forward ROYAL BLOOD. One of the most successful British bands of recent years, whose self-titled debut album reached Number one a few years ago are back with their follow up record ‘How Did We Get So Dark’.

This release was always going to be a big deal, so I wanted to do something extra special. Something I haven’t done before. Everyone loved the GOLD tapes I did for GUNSHIP (Waiting for that follow up guys!) so I’d always wanted to do Chrome/Mirrored cassettes. I chose Royal Blood to be the band that get these babies and just look at them… Absolutely beautiful!

I’m not sure any photos or videos can do them the justice of holding it in your hands and watching it catch the light in the most satisfying way. It also sounds superb – recorded in real time for the best quality – and to perfectly compliment that amazing raw sound Royal Blood have been so successful with.

As you can imagine, these chrome tapes are very very limited edition and due to how big this band is, will disappear very quickly. The album was released on June 16th and promptly went straight in at number 1 in the UK album charts! This is a first for POST/POP but there have been some close calls. In the next week I will be exploring some of the other tapes that POST/POP has done for Major labels that may have passed you by.

Some people apparently start revolutions from their beds. I, in times gone by, have built space station forts from pillows and duvets and imagination. Charlotte Lindèn Ercoli Coe aka Charles has created an awesome album of considerable dream-pop classics that not only perfectly suit our format of choice – Cassettes! In case you weren’t listening – but feels like it was made for it. Now I’m not saying producing ‘That’s What Baby Learns’ from the comfort of some wood and linen is any more of an achievement than my pillow space fort, but it’s probably a lot easier to drop into everyday conversation.

As you have become accustomed, and before I wax on about this gem of an album, have a little listen and come back when you’re convinced:

Effing great huh? It’s the kind of album I can sit back and close my eyes and let it wash over me with it’s dreamy layered super pop. It also feels like reading someone’s diary (specifically Charlotte’s!) but a diary written with Ariel Pink stationery (why isnt there Ariel Pink stationery?). It’s getting some good hype at the moment and you can read one such review over at Gorilla vs Bear.

Charlotte is playing with POST/POP favourite, Neon Indian on Feb 24th (tomorrow, day of release!) so if you are in Hollywood and have a ticket to the show, you can buy this tape from the lady herself, or from POST/POP using any of the links that points to “SHOP” on this site.

I can’t recommend CHARLES enough, but I am incredibly biased as I am trying to get you to listen/buy so don’t tale my word for it, check her out in these other places too and make your own mind up!

“Jed, have you heard the new Daphne & Celeste song? You’d love it!” said Dave Cronen, manager of ASH/Johnny Marr. I hadn’t at the time, but went home that night and watched the video. “Woah! Max Tundra produced this? Woah! Daphne & Celeste can really sing! Woah, there’s a Twin Peaks reference? Woah! its all about cassette tapes?” Yes Dave, I LOVE IT! So then I set about speaking to Mr. Tundra about releasing the cassette and this is it below!

There are so many reasons why I love this band. First of all just look at the photo below. Any band who actually got to hang out with Joey Ramone is okay in my book, but look, one of them is wearing a classic ASH tshirt, which makes this quite possibly, the greatest photo of all time.

POST/POP is at the Hackney Record Fair @ Dalston Epic in london, this Sunday April 12th. What’s on the POST/POP stall this time? Well the new double a-side tape (about to make a new post about it) from ISLAND FOX (aka Jess from Treasureseason) which is just lovely indeed. I will also have any ASH tapes I have leftoever (all the Subways ones are gone I think) and a selection of the POST/POP discography you may have missed. Also tshirts for £10 on the day and free badges!

Hope to see you there. I will be the one with the POST/POP wolf on my sweater, surrounded by tapes and boomboxes. Actually, there are a few tape labels there, so I will be the one buying other label’s tapes and VHS!

Timeout has listed it as one of the must-see events this weekend (mostly to do with POST/POP being there I am sure) and there is also craft beer and fanzines and other east london staples.